The Narrative Psychology of Reversal Endings: An Integrated Model Based on Predictive Coding and Narrative Remapping

Abstract

Reversal endings are widely celebrated in contemporary narrative across various media, yet existing academic research largely remains confined to the level of basic typological description. Consequently, there is a significant lack of an integrated explanation regarding the underlying psychological and cognitive mechanisms that make these narrative devices so impactful. To address this critical gap, this paper proposes a comprehensive two-stage "predictive coding—narrative remapping" model. In the first stage, the narrative reversal triggers a strong prediction error, leading to the sudden collapse of the viewer's existing mental model and inducing a profound state of cognitive dissonance. In the subsequent second stage, the viewer initiates an active, compensatory reconstruction process termed "narrative remapping." This complex cognitive mechanism integrates retroactive cue retrieval and emotional reappraisal, thereby successfully transforming the original disruptive error signal into profound aesthetic pleasure and enhanced memory durability. Contrary to previous literary studies, this paper argues that the true artistic value of a reversal does not originate merely from the shock of the prediction error itself, but rather from the completability of the remapping process and the subsequent emotional return on cognitive investment. Through detailed close readings of the acclaimed films Shutter Island (2010) and The Piano Tuner (2010), together with a rigorous comparative analysis of a structurally failed case, Old (2021), the paper validates the proposed theoretical model. Finally, three empirically testable hypotheses are offered, charting a robust methodological path for future investigations in the emerging field of cognitive neuro-narratology.